The businessman locked in a battle with a Canadian property giant over plans for Rubislaw Quarry has revealed that he held secret talks with the firm about working together.
Hugh Black has long held plans to create a museum honouring the north-east’s granite industry on the edge of the Aberdeen landmark.
But rival firm Cattera has lodged a proposal to create a block of 250 flats at the site – along with a gym, function room, public bistro and a promenade along the north side of the quarry.
The developer last week lodged scaled back plans for the spot, after its previous application for a £68 million block of almost 300 flats was knocked back by the council when it attracted 300 letters of objection.
Fresh plans submitted for hundreds of homes at Rubislaw Quarry
Discussing the latest twist in his running battle with the Canadians, Mr Black last night revealed that Carttera had approached him about working together last year.
He said talks were held about a possible compromise arrangement, whereby a smaller number of flats would be built with a path linking to the future heritage centre at the site.
He said: “When we had discussions with them in the summer, the firm said they were planning on scaling down the scheme and were keen to work with us on both developments.
“We are disappointed that these new designs barely differ from the previous ones, when you look at them side by side.
“As it stands we cannot support them, the blocks look like unfinished Lego.
“If it was more modest we could have worked together but, looking at these designs, it is hard to see how anyone could want that at such an iconic Aberdeen site.”
The planning permission Mr Black was previously given for the site has since lapsed, but he said he would re-apply for consent to proceed with his vision for Rubislaw Quarry “when the time is right”.
Scotia Homes was given planning approval to build 116 flats, a rooftop bar and restaurant on the top two floors of a tower, and 207 car parking spaces in 2006.
However, Carttera later bought the land. Carttera was unavailable for comment last night.
